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Previous research on continuous mining operations has shown that significant interactions exist between dust control parameter application and the resulting respirable dust levels, but simply increasing the level of the controls does not guarantee a reduction in respirable dust levels. Full-scale laboratory tests are being conducted to provide information to longwall operators which would assist them in selecting control parameters that would reduce dust levels for mine-specific conditions. The interactions between face air velocity, shearer water quantity, drum water spray pressure, external water spray pressure, and spray system design were evaluated in a simulated 2.13. m (7-ft) coal seam for two cutting directions. Locations around and downwind of the shearer were monitored to evaluate relative changes in respirable dust levels as a function of each control parameter.

Average production from longwall mining operations in the United States has risen from approximately 800 tons per shift in 1980 to over 4,600 metric tons per shift in 1999. Such a large increase in production has the potential to generate significant...

Operating practices and resulting production from longwall faces are continually improving. Consequently, longwall operators are continually seeking to improve the dust control capabilities on longwalls. The National Institute for Occupational Safety...

Health surveillance efforts indicate that the development of lung disease and overexposure to respirable dust in underground coal mires continues to afflict mine worker. Results from the most recent round (1992 - 1996) of the Coal Worker's X-ray Surv...

"The Bureau of Mines equipped a longwall shearer with a water-jet- assisted mechanical cutting system to determine the effect of the high-pressure sprays on machine performance, airborne dust levels generated, and size of particles formed. Testing wa...

Longwall mining is the most productive method of under- ground coal mining in the United States (U.S.), and record levels of production have been reached in recent years. These ever-improving production levels have the potential to generate significa...